Agricultural products have become an important factor in U.S. foreign trade. Grains and soybeans have accounted for nearly three-fifths of the value of U.S. agricultural exports during the past several years. From a value of $6.7 billion in fiscal 1970, agricultural exports tripled to $21.6 billion in fiscal 1975. During the same period, the value of agricultural imports increased less than 7 5 percent. Thus, the $1. 1 billion surplus in the balance of trade in agricultural products during 1970 swelled to a $12 billion surplus in 1975, These surpluses have. helped contribute to an overall favorable balance of trade during four of the past six years and have lessened the deficit in the other two years.